Just a Hop, Skip, and Jump away
It's been a packed week and I would like to start the email off by saying I made it to Faaa! Well, kinda... For all the Elders that wished Faaa on me, (Elder Spencer)... Our house is in the zone of Faaa but im actually in the area of Punauia in an area called Outumaoro. My area is a whole lot smaller than Nuku Hiva. We have roughly 8 streets/neighborhoods and that it. Somehow we happen to have choke lessons. We've planned at least four or five lessons everyday and since we walk everywhere we are able to do so much contacting. In the few days I've been here We've already had seven lessons that members were present at which is huge because member lessons are the driving force, they are like a friend in the church for the friend we are teaching. The area itself isn't the best and there's quite a bit of sketchy people, kinda makes me think of Helelua in Nanakuli back at home. We've got quick a bit of drug houses, there's a few dealers who camp out right below our apartment complex and the amount of drive by drug deals I've seen has been insane. Two people will be driving, one in a car and usually a client on a moped going 30 to 40ish mph and the guy on the moped hands the guy in the car money then gets his stuff and is outta there. Pretty cool, pretty sketchy, and always adventure over here.
Highlights:
- I took a flight over to Hiva Oa and had a little layover over there so I can officially say I've made it to the three main islands in the Marquesis.
- Got in and the sink in my new house was clogged and there was a weeks worth of pots and pans that had been pilling up, and a whole bunch of trash with Flys and other insects all over the place. Spent the first two nights unclogging the sink, deep cleaning our kitchen and living room area and now the house doesn't smell at it's also really nice. Might even put up a Hawaiian flag and maybe a Marquesian one to make it feel a little more like home.
- Got to see more missionaries then just my comp. Woah 4 1/2 months on a little island really makes being in the city seem pretty crazy. There's so much traffic near our house and it's a lot different from the traffic on Nuku Hiva of maybe passing 3-5 cars on your hour long drive.
- Fasted three times this past week because there was no food in the house and on the third time I honestly lost all desire to eat or drink for 24 hours. It was one of the craziest fast Sunday's.
Lowlights:
- Said goodbye to all of our friends as well as the 4x4 Hilux, and the Marquesis'
- New sector is on bikes but we walk all over the place because the road just goes straight up.
- We haven't had a dinner appointment in person since I've been here and I'm hoping we'll be able to improve the member relations here because people here expect the missionaries to call them only when it's there turn to feed us. I'm hoping we can work to grow to have a friendship with all our members this transfer and get some meals in person.
Spiritual Thought:
Alma 7:12 "And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities."
"His bowels are filled with MERCY toward you"
"Vents favorables et mer suivants"
"Mata'i haumaru e moana mania"
"Fair winds and following seas"
I'd love to hear how you're doing! Send me a message, I might not respond instantly but know that I do read them!
Ua Here au ia 'oe,
Elder Ellis
Link to my Google Photo's album. Go check um, go check um, go!:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/qErFS2eWV3pJGVEV7
